Twelve Australian men from all walks, two-steps and flounces of life compete in a talent competition to prove themselves to be the next triple-threat and win a part in the Broadway production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. They are also following the route of the bus in the film Priscilla Queen of the Desert, stopping at each destination to perform in drag at the locals.

Our view

All aboard ... I Will Survive is fun and easy to watch.

I Will Survive is not only about triple threats, it's also about multiple personalities. On one hand it is about finding Australia's next big musical talent, the guy Toni Collette defines as a triple threat -someone who acts, dances and sings. On the other hand protestations that this ISN'T a search for Australia's next drag queen seem to be falling on deaf ears (and heavily made up eyes). The skill sets for the two jobs are similar, but by no means identical, and the show oscillates between the two with occasionally disjointed results.

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It all starts, as the movie did, at the Imperial Hotel in Sydney. Hugh lays down the acting challenge that lies ahead for these dozen wannabe doyens, however before the boys set off on camp camp, they are sent into the drag dressing room where they have an hour to prepare to sing Go West in drag in front of their family and friends. So far, so good. All explained clearly and swiftly and we're already torturing the contestants with what is a legitimately difficult and potentially funny challenge.

Before we really know who these guys are we're getting their humorous responses to finding themselves in drag and (often terrible) make up. "I'm a man, in a dress. It's all good." "I feel surprisingly comfortable actually." "And there she is!!!" "I'm horrifically concerned I'm enjoying it so much." It's hard not to like these guys, though in reality, these are some of the ugliest drag queens Australia has ever seen.

Good value ... rotating the judges allows for some high calibre critics to drop in.

There is a genuine mix in this group, coming from the mines, the footy, the showbiz, and the gay. We know there's been a round of auditions already so these are the best, and their Go West chorus number proves there's a decent level of quality here. In terms of choreography, it feels more like the final scene from The Full Monty than Priscilla, but I'm hoping it won't have the same finale!

The singing is seriously good; family members are enjoying it a lot though some are clearly trying to identify their loved ones behind the wigs. We struggle a bit too as the camera is all over the shop.

Then it's over, no commentary, judging or criticism. Just a few hugs from family members and the boys jump on the bus in costume. This is a little disjointed as this was introduced as a challenge and the rules of the genre require feedback. Instead we get a series of video clips that race us through the boys' back stories, then some hours (and a whole lot of makeup remover) later, the boys arrive in Dubbo.

Triple threat ... the top 12 tick the boxes on singing, dancing and acting.

And then it sort of starts again. The Imperial didn't happen. The bus didn't happen. It's time to sing in a cattle sale yard (and in regular daywear) for the judges. A "cattle call with a difference" says Hugh, who clearly went to the Daryl Somers school of hosting, before introducing Stephan Elliot, the writer and director of Priscilla, Jason Donovan the Neighbours, West End and curious career decision star, and Aussie Hollywood hot shot Rachael Taylor who rocks up wearing a fair whack of makeup herself and a very enthusiastic demeanour. The critics are sitting on cow hide stools so their authority is somewhat diminished.

And then we're singing, no talkfest this. Tom starts off with a backing track blaring out of unseen speakers, followed by Brendan and then Sean who has a throat infection that he assists by singing Jon Bon Jovi. It's soon clear we're getting different length grabs from each performance and similarly differing amounts of feedback. This is a good idea. The singing is sometimes magnificent, see Adrian and Stephen, other times it sounds like we've stumbled into cattle karaoke, see Frank the rank amateur. Equally, the judges are amusing in bursts. Stephan tries to coin a phrase by asking Nathan, formerly of Hi-5, to "open a vein", which he assures us means to reinvent himself, not, you know, kill himself. Stephan is clearly going to be a wildcard as he also can't restrain himself from mouthing and occasionally openly singing along.

Rachael is good value, getting a bit of a crush on Adrian, suggesting "you seem like a dude's dude". To which he nonchalantly replies "I'm a bit of a dude", and I wonder if we've changed this to a camel yard.

Highlight ... Rachael Taylor, right, with Hugh Sheridan.

Twelve is a lot of performances in one cow pen, so the contestants with stage musical pedigree are rushed through – Mike, Rohan, Stephen, Matt – as no one expects them to stumble here, before we get to see former child-star Davin belt one out, though the evidence of his star status is a single appearance on Star Search at age 10. Hmmm. Still, "you're my gay!" announces Rachael after he nails I Am What I Am.

Then the judges take half an hour up the back of the bus to judge people as the producers try to win the Puberty Blues audience, which really just seems to be an excuse for Jason to play with the contestant themed fridge magnets that will surely be available in a store near you soon.

Back in the cattle ring, Hugh announces Sean, Frank and Matt are the bottom three... and that's it.

Tomorrow night the boys are dressing up in drag in front of a rugby team. And coming up there appears to be an overwhelming amount of bitching about each other, plus a major spoiler as the footage decides to show two of tonight's final three in later stages of the competition.

In short: Ultimately this is fun and very easy to watch with the added spice of bitchy queen about it but it needs to find a happier balance between its elements. Is it fish out of water or talent quest? Drag queen or triple threat? Still it got the right balance of performance over talking, and the rotating judge idea allows for some seriously high calibre (and good value) critics to drop in.

Best bit: Rachael Taylor getting a crush on Adrian was fun. Otherwise, the best bit was the singing as these are some seriously talented guys.

Worst bit: Spoilers in the promos! Seriously Ten, you can't say "find out tomorrow night who gets through" and within a matter of seconds show two out of three of the contestants in peril featuring in future episodes.

Next episode: Tonight, 7.30pm on Ten

How'd it rate? A disappointing 506,000, drowned in the shiny, polished noise of X Factor.

Worth watching again? Very much so, and you won't need to have seen earlier episodes. Entertaining, camp and talented - three great qualities.

These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinion only of visitors who have chosen to participate.

15 comments so far

Obviously the writer if this piece never went to the now-defunct Taxi Club. Now that was the place to see truly ugly drag queens; along with some real stunners :) All good harmless fun thought :)

Commenter

Arel

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 11:12AM

That was the most positive aspect of the show; less talk. Can't wait to see it develop after the first few 'we all love and respect each other equally' episodes go by and we get down to the nitty gritty.

Commenter

Buffybot

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 11:59AM

If it doesn't get axed next week that is.

And I hope it doesn't.

Commenter

AJ

Location

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 1:13PM

At last a talent show that has talent.The contestants are rated on thier talent No Auto tune anywhere

Enjoyed last night and look forward to the series developing.

Commenter

chucka Tanti

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 12:35PM

I can't believe you would be so cruel by calling this a talent show, that's very unfair on talent shows.

This is hardly a new concept, all they've done is moved a who-wants-to-sing-and-dance show to an "outback setting". If there was any talent I must've blinked and missed it. Nothing worth watching in yet another "reality show".

Channel 10, please stop wasting our time with useless shows and put something worth watching on your station, or actually pay for well-written scripts! You take great shows, put them on at midnight and then cancel them... are you terrified of engaging your audience and perhaps expanding their imaginations?

Commenter

TryingTalent

Location

Australia

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 2:16PM

Channel 10....what has happened to your marketing...why did you not extensively promote this show before last night....and why put it up against X Factor?

The show is great.....but you need to 'tell' more people about it!

And whilst on this topic...why did you launch Sarah Murdoch's show at the end of the Olympics?....no wonder if got off to a bad start and ultimately failed!

You have some great new programs; but you need to ensure that you support your new shows and don't launch them against other entrenched high rating shows or during major events!

PS The Shire and Lara Bingle by the way are major duds!

Commenter

Viewer

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 3:32PM

Totally agree with your comments. However Sarah Murdoch sucked as Host. She was the only annoying bit about that show!

Commenter

Tam

Location

Pyrmont

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 8:34PM

At last a show where some of the performers really can sing. No screaming young women presuming to be singing and no screaming bloody audience. Good stuff Channel 10, we'll be watching more.

Commenter

dobbiebruce

Location

Wollongbar NSW

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 4:10PM

It shouldn't have been up against X Factor. You could see what was happening live on Twitter, people watching X Factor and switching over to I Will Survive during commercial breaks, then switching back.

Commenter

Fester

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 22, 2012, 4:22PM

I HATE reality TV but this was great. Really enjoyed this show. Fun & easy to watch. Short & sweet with the judges. No annoying audience. Love the faster pace. Good job TEN for actually getting something right!